From April 16th till April 18th, a packed Senaatszaal at Eindhoven University of Technology listened to 38 lectures by international researchers about the latest developments in the study of the strong coupling involving organic molecules and optical cavities. The workshop was opened by photonics researcher Jaime Gómez Rivas (TU/e and DIFFER), who proudly stated that this second edition of the workshop attracted about 125 people from Europe, Japan and the US, indicating the increasing interest in this emerging field.
Author: Sonja Knols-Jacobs
The workshop brought together researchers from different disciplines including Photonics, Quantum Optics, Materials, Chemistry and Condensed Matter Physics to discuss the latest developments in the study of the strong coupling involving organic molecules and optical cavities. Leaders in the field discussed recent results on phenomena that involve polaritonic states, molecular excitations, molecular vibrations and their complex interactions, giving rise to a plethora of fascinating effects of both scientific and technological interest.
Learn more about light
Nicholas Furtak, third year PhD student at the University of Leeds, attended the workshop to ‘learn more about light’: ‘I have recently published my first papers about quantizing the electromagnetic field near semi-transparent mirrors. Since before, I worked on electron transport in carbon nanotubes, this workshop is a perfect opportunity to get acquainted with light in a broader context. And it is also a nice event to meet people from other universities, to get an idea of possible new positions for me after I have finished my PhD work.’
Don’t miss out
Shunsuke Murai from Kyoto University Japan, who presented one of the 57 posters during the workshop, attended to hear what is happening in adjacent fields: ‘I am working on plasmonic lattices and photo luminescence enhancement, and I want to learn as much as possible during the workshop. I am very glad the organization has chosen for an all plenary program, so I don’t have to miss out on anything.’
Jaime Gómez Rivas looks back at the workshop with pride: ‘We were able to gather together in Eindhoven the best scientist working on strong light matter coupling with organic molecules. During 3 days, we could discuss the most recent developments on how to control the interaction of light and matter and how this interaction can affect material properties. In a few years from now, we will have “polaritonic” devices with improved performance and it is exciting to be part of the birth of this field.’
He recently obtained a prestigious NWO Vici grant for his own work in this field, in which he is creating a hybrid state of light and matter to improve the diffusion of bound states of electrons and electron holes in materials. Enhancing transport of electrical charges in matter is a major goal to improve optoelectronic devices, such as solar cells, LEDs, lasers, and photodetectors.
More information
https://www.scom2018.eu/home
Vici project Jaime Gómez Rivas - Strongly Coupled Optoelectronics (pdf)
Photonics expert Jaime Gómez Rivas wins prestigious Vici grant
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